As summer approaches, interior design trends continue to lean toward warmth, grounded colors and materials, and feel-good living spaces. But a new report suggests that nostalgia, wellness, and design that supports slower rituals, and old-school spaces are also surging in popularity.
One trend gaining remarkable traction is “mahjong room,” which skyrocketed by 2000% in the last year, according to the 2026 U.S. Houzz Emerging Summer Trends Report.
Also climbing, are searches for card rooms, poker rooms, board game rooms, and playrooms, all spaces for deliciously slow pastimes, a welcome break from the fast pace of digital living in 2026.
Home is increasingly becoming seen as a sanctuary; this shift towards analogue-focused design supports that mindset.
Beyond hobby spaces, the search trends from the Houzz report around color, materials, wellness, and experience-driven outdoor spaces show that homeowners long for the simplicity of the “good old days.”
New-build house hunters who share these priorities will appreciate how easily new construction homes can shift to accommodate these spaces meant for sanctuary.
A lot of these trends are already showing up in newer homes, from flex rooms that can easily become reading lounges, game rooms, or hobby spaces, to thoughtfully designed outdoor areas that make it easier to relax, gather, and unwind at home. Wellness-focused features are also already integrated into many newer homes.
Here are some of the standout trends from the Houzz Summer Trends Report, and how new-build house hunters can use them to create the ultimate sanctuary at home.
Curves, Texture, and the Return of Warmth
Comfort at home has been a major theme in design for several years now, and with this in mind, consumers are searching more for curves, texture, and warmth, according to the report.
Curves can make kitchens and baths feel softer and more welcoming, particularly in newer homes with cleaner architectural lines.
As kitchens become more connected to living spaces, they need to feel comfortable enough for lingering conversations, casual meals, and everyday gatherings, not simply meal prep.
Searches are climbing for wavy and scalloped tile, rounded kitchen islands, arched pantry doors, and arched range hoods.
Curved staircases are trending, too, as a gentle, but prominent architectural feature.
House hunters are also gravitating toward texture and natural materials that make homes feel warmer and more lived-in from the moment they walk through the door. Searches are rising for sandstone, limewash paint, linen wallpaper, and seagrass wallcoverings, while architectural details like wainscoting continue to gain traction.
Flooring trends are leaning heavily into natural patina and imperfection. Searches for terracotta and travertine flooring are climbing because these materials instantly make spaces feel warmer, softer, and more collected, qualities many buyers are craving in newer homes.
Variation and imperfect finish feel more authentic, which makes spaces look layered and lived-in.
That same warmth is also influencing color palettes. Rust, chocolate brown, sage, taupe, and cream are all climbing in popularity, reflecting a broader move toward earthy, grounded interiors.
Wellness Design Goes Mainstream
Health and wellness have been shaping home design for years, but the concept of home as a sanctuary that supports mental and physical health is moving from luxury to a baseline expectation.
Searches are growing for wellness rooms, sensory rooms, yoga rooms, home gyms, spa bathrooms, wet rooms, and biophilic design, according to the report.
Buyers are also paying closer attention to how homes support mental and physical well-being day to day, whether through spa-inspired bathrooms, yoga spaces, sensory rooms, or simply quieter places to decompress.
Outdoor Spaces Are Designed Around Experience
Smaller, well-designed outdoor spaces that prioritize relaxation and socialization over maintenance are in demand. Growing searches for small front yards, small backyards, and courtyards are climbing, reflecting growing interest in outdoor areas that feel functional and intimate.
That sentiment echoes recent buyer research presented during a webinar by Mollie Carmichael, principal of master plan and product insights at Zonda, NewHomeSource’s parent company. She noted that buyers are willing to have smaller backyards if the space is thoughtfully designed and enjoyable to use, with features like shade structures, seating areas, and fire pits.
Meanwhile, on the other end of the spectrum, homeowners are looking for bigger, immersive outdoor spaces too, inspired by the romance of French and Italian courtyards. Searches tied to these styles are surging, reflecting a desire for outdoor spaces that feel transportive, layered, and escapist. Think cobblestone plazas, sunny terraces, fountains, and lush landscaping.
While these approaches to outdoor design differ, the sentiment is the same. Buyers are prioritizing outdoor spaces that feel like an extension of daily living, whether that means a compact courtyard with a firepit or a more immersive garden-inspired retreat.
Speakeasies and Reading Rooms Bring Back the Cozy Hideaway
One of the simplest ways to escape for a few hours is curling up with a good book or savoring a cocktail in a comfortable space. According to the report, searches for “bibliothèque” are climbing, alongside rising interest in speakeasies and other nostalgic, old-world spaces designed for lingering.
At the core of the bibliothèque aesthetic is built-in shelving, layered lighting, and cozy architectural moments like reading niches and window seats.
Speakeasy-inspired spaces lean into many of the same ideas, with moodier lighting, richer materials, and intimate gathering spaces that feel tucked away from the pace of everyday life.
For buyers touring newer homes, these trends may show up as cozy window seats, built-in shelving, moody flex rooms, layered lighting, or tucked-away lounge spaces.
These details can help newer homes feel more personal and emotionally grounded from the start, even in clean-lined production communities.
For more new-home design trend inspiration, follow us on Instagram or sign up for our newsletter.
Hero Image Courtesy of Schloegel Design Remodel, Photographer: Matthew Anderson
